UFC releases ranked bantamweight contender Mike Easton

For the second time in two weeks, the UFC has released a ranked fighter.

Mike Easton has been let go by the organization, UFC officials confirmed with FOX Sports, despite being ranked No. 14 among bantamweight contenders. Francis Carmont, the No. 15-ranked middleweight, was cut by the UFC last week.

Easton's release does not come completely out of the blue. The Washington, D.C. native has lost four straight and is coming off a defeat against Yves Jabouin at UFC 174 in June. Easton (13-5) won his first three fights in the UFC, but they all came against fighters who are no longer with the company.

After that, "The Hulk" fell to Raphael Assuncao, Brad Pickett and T.J. Dillashaw, all men who have been serious contenders or champions in the UFC. The loss to Jabouin, though, was the final straw, apparently.

Easton, though, is just 30 years old and an entertaining fighter. It wouldn’t be stunning to see him knock around in other organizations for a bit only to be re-signed. We seem to be seeing that more and more lately.